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Written by
Rutene Spooner
World Premiere of a Court Theatre commission
Billy T James is a legendary New Zealand comedian and cultural icon.
In this new work, Rutene Spooner shares his personal relationship with his childhood hero, Billy T.
Infused with music and humour, Be Like Billy? speaks to our national identity, touching on what being Māori, being a performer and being a Kiwi meant in the 80s, and what it means now.
“‘The Showband Era’ gave birth to some of Māoridom’s greatest entertainers. This play celebrates that whakapapa, tracing all the way back to the cheeky cackle we all know and love. So, what does Māori showmanship look like today?”
– Rutene Spooner, Writer
DOUBLE BILL WITH RĒWENA - BOOK BOTH AND SAVE 10%
From 25 March, The Court will present an exciting double bill of works, both created here in Aotearoa New Zealand, and both featuring just one actor on stage.
Book tickets to Be Like Billy? and Rēwena in one order and you'll save 10% off Standard, Senior and Friends of the Court tickets.
You can attend both shows on one night or spread the theatrical joy across two separate nights; simply book in one transaction and you'll get the discount.
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Key Dates
- 25 March 2023: Opening night
- 28 March 2023: Pay What You Can
- 3 April 2023: Forum - a special performance where audiences get to ask cast and crew questions after the show
- 15 April 2023: Matinee performance at 2pm
- 22 April 2023: Closing night
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Tickets
- Adult $37 - $42
- Senior (65+) $35 - $39
- Group (6+) 10% Discount on Standard Adult, Friends, Child and Senior price tickets
- Friends of The Court Theatre $34 - $37
- Child (under 18) $25
- Student ID cardholders $25
- Community Services or Hāpai Access cardholders $25
- Cast
- Band
- Creatives
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Press Reviews
"Spooner lays out this complexity for us in a show that starts with joy and celebration, with nostalgia, then pivots to something more complex when the audience is confronted with the division between laughing at and laughing with. "
"Rutene Spooner plays the role of cheeky, cheerful entertainer with great charm and talent to spare."
"Be Like Billy? will surely go down as a true taonga of Aotearoa’s theatre history."
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Subscribe
Be Like Billy is included in your Super Subscription, or you can bundle it with at least two other shows to Build Your Own subscription.
If you want more Aotearoa plays, you could create an Aotearoa Play Subscription with:
- Sense and Sensibility
- Rēwena
- The Haka Party Incident
Add on – Cinderella and Te Kuia me te Pungawerewere (Kids)
If you want more Drama in your life, you could create a Drama Lover’s Subscription with:
- Rēwena
- Next to Normal
- The Haka Party Incident
Add on - Sweet Science of Bruising (Performed by our Youth Company)
If you have young people in your life, they might like, a Youth-Friendly Subscription with:
- Rēwena
- Sense and Sensibility
Add on - Sweet Science of Bruising (Performed by our Youth Company)
If you want more to see more New Zealand premieres, you could create a Premiere Subscription with:
- Sense and Sensibility
- Appropriate
- The Appleton Ladies Potato Race (NZ professional premiere)
- Something Rotten!
If you love music in your theatre, you could create a Music Lover’s Subscription with:
- Next to Normal
- Something Rotten!
Add on – Frozen JR. (Family)
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Covid – Your Booking is Safe with Us
To minimise the impact of possible Covid-related closures we employ understudies and swings for our cast and have contingencies to cover essential crew absences.
However, if a performance is affected by Covid and cannot go on, you will not lose out. We will attempt to rebook you to another performance in the show’s season or, if that is not possible, we can explore other options with you such as Court account credits or transferring your tickets to another show.
There are currently no Covid-related restrictions on attending The Court Theatre. However, as always, we encourage you to be mindful of good hygiene, for the sake of your own health, and that of other members of the audience, our cast, crew and staff.
If a show is cancelled:
- Performances most immediately impacted will be texted – to ensure that your details are up-to-date for this purpose, please log into your account (top right on our web pages) and review them now.
- Emails will be sent to all patrons affected outlining the dates of affected performance and the process that will follow to rebook. Typically this will be:
- rebooking your seats for the same night of the week within the following two weeks,
- endeavouring to book you into a similar spot in the auditorium, if possible.
- We telephone anyone we cannot contact via email.
- Your new booking will be emailed to you. If you require further changes, please email us.
We ask people not to phone our Box Office but rather to email us with special requests – this is easier for the team to handle when dealing with significant rebookings.
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Audience Reviews (2)
"Two relevant high-quality productions, entertaining, intimate and thought-provoking. Respect due to all involved."
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